Summary
- Plugin EVs took 27.3% share in Germany in February, up from 19.3% YoY
- Overall auto volume in February was 203,434 units, down 6% YoY
- BEVs were back to decent volume compared to 2024, with the Volkswagen ID.7 as the best-selling model
- The German auto market saw combined EVs take 27.3% share, with BEVs at 17.7% and PHEVs at 9.6%
- Home-teams like Volkswagen Group dominate the market, with BMW Group and Mercedes Group following suit
Article
In February, plugin EVs in Germany held a 27.3% share of the auto market, with BEVs at 17.7% and PHEVs at 9.6%. This was an increase from the previous year, although overall auto volume was down by 6%. The Volkswagen ID.7 was the best-selling BEV in February, continuing its dominance in the market. The transition to electric vehicles in Germany has been slow, with the cancellation of incentives impacting BEV sales in early 2024. European manufacturers are still reluctant to fully embrace BEVs, and the EU Commission’s proposal to downgrade emissions requirements for 2025 may further impede progress.
The top-selling BEV models in February were all from the Volkswagen brand, with the ID.7, ID.4 / ID.5, and ID.3 taking the top three spots. Other notable models in the top rankings included the Skoda Enyaq, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Cupra Born. The Renault 5 and Hyundai Inster also made appearances in the rankings, showing potential for growth in the coming months. Stellantis, the parent company of Citroen, may adopt a multi-brand approach in the German market to introduce more electric models.
As for manufacturing group performance, Volkswagen remained the dominant player in the market, taking 46.3% of the market share over the past three months. BMW Group and Mercedes Group followed, with Renault Group gaining a bigger slice of the market due to the success of the Dacia Spring and Renault 5. Despite the growth in electric vehicle sales, the German economy saw a decline in GDP and manufacturing PMI, indicating broader economic challenges.
With the EU Commission’s decision to weaken fleet emissions requirements for 2025 and Germany losing its priority status in the European market, the future of the EV transition in Germany remains uncertain. The availability of more affordable BEV options, such as B-segment vehicles, may be limited due to supply constraints. The reluctance of legacy automakers to fully commit to BEVs and the changing regulatory landscape pose challenges for the EV transition in 2025.
Overall, the slow pace of transition to electric vehicles in Germany calls for policy interventions and industry commitment to accelerate the shift to sustainable transportation. The outcome of the EV transition in 2025 will depend on a variety of factors, including consumer demand, regulatory policies, and industry initiatives. It is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to overcome barriers and achieve a cleaner and greener transportation sector.
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